Share that shows it cares.

• Position: Statewide

People who earn more aren't likely to give more of what they make to charity, according to a study conducted by The Chronicle of Philanthropy. The Washington, D.C.-based publication examined charitable contributions of households making $50,000 or more in 2008--the most recent year such information is available--and found that the middle class gives a higher percentage of its income than the upper class does. That holds true in the Far Heel State. Overall, North Carolina is among the more generous states, ranking 10th in percentage of income given to charities (5.9% compared with the U.S.'s 4.7%) and 11th in median contribution ($3,132 compared with $2,564). Fayetteville (7.2% of income) was the most benevolent of the seven largest metros in North Carolina, while Raleigh (5.0%) was the stingiest.

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Average contributions as percentage of household income in North Carolina $50,000 to $99,999 7.2% $100,000 to $199,999 5.2% $200, 000 and more 4.8% All 5.9% Note: Table made from bar graph. Charitable contributions by county Rank Total Per capita Percentage of income 1 Mecklenburg S638.4 Orange $840.48 Scotland 8.3% million 2 Wake 593.8 Mecklenburg 718.29 Robeson 8.2 million 3 Guilford 259.2 Wake 692.97 Bladen 8.1 million 4 Forsyth 227.5 Forsyth 663.21 Martin 8.1 million 5 Durham 136.1 Davie 612.57 Bertie 8.1 million 6 Cumberland 114.7 Watauga 608.11 Clay 8.0 million 7 Union 112.0 Union 582.48 Edgecombe 7.9 million 8 Buncombe 111.8 Guilford 546.56 Avery 7.9 million 9 Orange 108.9 Moore 530.02 Swain 7.8 million 92 Pamlico 3.1 Greene 180.53 Johnston 5.0 million 93 Gates 3.0 Bertie 174.17 Franklin 5.0 million 94 Warren 2.8 Hoke 172.95 New 4.9 million Hanover 95 Swain 2.5 Caswell 158.56 Onslow 4.8 million 96 Graham 1.7 Jones 155.69 Wake 4.8 million 97 Alleghany 1.6 Tyrrell 148.16 Dare 4.7 million 98 Jones 1.6 Alleghany 145.85 Orange 4.6 million 99 Tyrrell 653,542...